Cap.



A. KNOWLES.

GAP.

APPLICATION FILED FEB.13, 1911.

5064 849 Patented June 17, 1913.

COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH c0., WASHINGTON. 12.

ALFRED KNOWLES, or MANCHESTER, ENGLAND.

GAP.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented lune 1'7, 191 3.

Application filed February 13, 1911. Serial No. 608,326.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that LALFRED KNowLns,subject of the King of Great Britain and Ireland, and resident of Cheetham, Manchester, in the county of Lancaster, England, hat and cap manufacturer, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Caps, of

which the following 1s a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in head coverings such as caps formed of unlined textile material; and it consist-s of certain stiffening devices, hereinafter fully described and claimed, which operate normally to hold the soft and flexible material of the cap body in a preferred shape.

My invention will be fully described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which show applications of it to gentlemens caps and in which,

Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of a cap arranged in accordance with my invention, Fig. 2 similar view showing a modified arrangement and Fig. 3 inverted sectional plan of the cap body shown in either Figs. 1 and 2.

Vith the above object in view my invention consists in placing inside the cap or hat body a made of any usual material or materials and usually at or about the largest diameter of such body as in Fig. 1 a narrow strip b of material, usually that known as gossamer which is stiffened by being impregnated with a suitable stiffening substance of the usual kind. Or by a shellac solution such as a mixture of methylated or other spirits or suitable liquid and shellac. This strip 2) is attached permanently to the body a of the cap by a suitable adhesive or may be sewn thereto or be attached in any other suitable but simple way. When in position it supports the cap body and prevents it getting out of shape during wear.

I would. have it understood that I may use any other suitable material or combination of materials in place of the gossamer strip, that is to say, materials which will effectthe object I have in view. Thus I have found that a strip of felt stiffened by the shellac mixture previously described is a very effective device for the purpose I have in View in this invention.

The stiffening band 6 is arranged in the crown of the cap above the level of the usual sweatband B, and the broad front portion of the stiffening band is made concavo convex at b so that the front side of the cap may present an attractive appearance.

In Fig. 2 the strip 6 is shown made wider at the front portion 0, such wider portion extending from the center of the cap front to some distance around the latter at each side, say, to the extent of from one third to one half the circumference of the cap body. The width or depth of the front strip may also be varied and may be formed in one with or be separate from the narrower portion running around the sides and rear portion of the cap. This deep front portion determines the shape of the cap over the vizor (Z and maintains such shape unimpaired during wear.

Again in place of one circumferential strip Z) I may, if found necessary or desirable, employ two or more arranged close together or at a little distance apart from each other.

As a further feature of my invention I may employ strips of gossamer or other suitable material 6 sewn or otherwise suitably attached along the usual radiating seams of the cap as shown in Fig. 8 though they may be placed in any other suitable position. The gossamer or other strips may be covered with a more expensive fabric such as silk in the better makes of caps or hats.

A further feature in connection with the gossamer band running around the inside of the cap or hat is that it may be perforated along with the cloth of the cap to which it is attached for the purpose of ventilation and eyelets may be used for the purpose.

I may employ the circular band alone in a cap or in conjunction with the seam strips.

A further feature of my invention is to use gossamer as a complete lining for a cap or hat, in which case it would be made either in one piece or in sections of a suitable character sewn or otherwise caused to adhere together at the seams and be similarly secured to the cloth forming the body of the cap. Where an adhesive is used the lining may form an integral part of the cap body.

I would have it understood that the arrangements hereinbefore described may be employed in connection with all shapes and qualities of cloth caps and hats where found to be serviceable. In all cases except when the gossamer or other material forms a con plete lining, the object is to entirely dispense with a lining in caps or hats of the type referred to thus rendering them lighter in wear while retaining a good shape and being more sanitary than where the usual types of lining are employed.

What I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent is z 1. The combination, with an unlined cap f textile material formed of segments united by seams which radiate from a common center, said cap being provided with a sweat band at its lower part and having a bulging front portion which overlaps the sweat band; of a relatively narrow stiiTening band formed of textile material impreg nated with stiffening material and secured in the crown portion of the cap above the level of the lower portions of its sides and the sweat band and conforming to the contour of the said bulging portion.

2. The combination, with an unlined cap of textile material formed of segments united by seams which radiate from a common center, said cap being provided with a sweat band at its lower part and having a. bulging front portion which overlaps the sweat band; of stiffening strips formed of textile material impregnated withstifi'ening material and secured inside the cap over the said radiating seams and extending from the said center to the sweat band, and a relatively narrow stiffening band also formed of textile material impregnated with stiifening material and secured in the crown portion of the cap above the level of the lower portions of its sides and the sweat band and conforming to the contour of the said bulging portion.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two witnesses.

ALFRED KNOWLES. Witnesses:

AUG. E. EvINs, VILLIAM H. TAYLOR.

Copies of this patent 'may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing tne Commissioner Washington, D. It.

g1 Patents. 

